Schenley Farms: A “Residential Utopia” in Oakland
July 25 @ 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
$20.00
SPECIAL WALKING TOUR: SCHENLEY FARMS
Thursday, July 25
5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
$20.00 per person
This tour is limited to 20 participants.
Tickets will not be available after 11:30 p.m. on July 24.
Purchase a ticket below.
In 1903, Cleveland-born businessman Franklin Felix Nicola, who had moved to Pittsburgh in the mid-1890s, bought the last parcels of Oakland land left by heiress Mary Schenley on her death that year. Part of what he planned for this land was an enclave of high-quality residences; by 1906, he hired several well-regarded local architects to design model houses in various architectural styles. Over the following 15 years, Nicola constructed 96 houses on the flat portion of the site, subject to design guidelines and incorporating innovative features like underground electrical and telephone lines. (Another 39 houses were built on the terrace of land rising from the flat section.) This tour will visit the lower, gridded part of Schenley Farms, which, to this day, rewards pedestrians with multiple charms.
Refreshments follow at the home of a Schenley Farms resident.
Tour meeting point: On the sidewalk outside 4301 Bigelow Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Tour ending point: 4301 Bigelow Boulevard
Please arrive 15 minutes before start time in order to ensure that the tour gets underway on time. Dress for the weather (PHLF tours proceed rain or shine!), and wear comfortable shoes. By purchasing a ticket for this tour, you acknowledge that you are physically able to undertake the tour, assume all personal risk during the tour, consent to being photographed during the tour, and permit PHLF to use your image in our communications.
This tour is handicap accessible. Please notify us of your needs two business days in advance of the tour.